But I knew that if we didn’t try, it definitely wouldn’t. I had no choice but to take the opportunity. I could never speak in enough places to reach them all face to face this was a way to present what I had to say in a format that’s digestible. But with TikTok, I could speak to millions and millions of young people across the world directly. ![]() I moved to England and vowed to dedicate my life to teaching people about these atrocities, reminding them of what can happen if we sit back and watch.īeing one of the only remaining living Auschwitz survivors, over the years I’ve spoken at Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street at schools, church halls and businesses all over with charities such as the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. I made a promise to myself when I was in the camp: if I survived when so many millions did not, then I would never stop speaking about how hate and prejudice must never again prevail. The Nazis invaded Hungary, my mother, brother, three sisters and I were crammed into a train destined for Auschwitz. And then when I was 20 years old, my life turned upside down. I grew up in a small village in Hungary surrounded by a large, loving family. This was an opportunity to spread my story far and wide. If young kids could do TikTok, I would also. Adapting is what I’ve always done – I am a survivor and a fighter. Because while at 98 I’m no spring chicken any more, I’ve never been afraid to learn something new my spirit is as strong as ever. Dov did have to first explain to me what “viral” meant. He said we could go viral by sharing my message, which has been my lifetime’s mission. I’d seen some videos on the news: I’m a little old, I replied, for that sort of silly choreography.īut when he explained that we could make videos that didn’t need to involve any dancing, I was far more interested. When my great-grandson, Dov, suggested I join a few years back, I laughed and assumed he was joking. I still don’t have a mobile phone, only the landline. Honestly? Before I started with TikTok I didn’t know what the internet was. I’m told I have an email address, although I can’t say I’ve ever knowingly used it. They’ll live on for ever’: Lily Ebert, 98 ( 1.9m followers Photograph: Pål Hansen/The Observer ‘Now I hope my stories will never be forgotten. ‘I dedicated my life to teaching people about the atrocities of the Holocaust’: Lily Ebert. When they ask if I have a boyfriend, that winds me up. In the store kids will ask to take a picture with me on their phones. Do these people have nothing better to do than watch me on their mobile phones? Still, everywhere I go people are excited to see me. Some of my videos get tens of millions of views. I still don’t know why it has all worked out so well. Sometimes I wonder what the hell he’d think of all this. In some of my videos I talk about my husband, John. If they want to live a long and happy life like me, I tell them: don’t smoke cigarettes, dump your boyfriend, love yourself and don’t drink every day. These kids often get in touch wanting advice, usually about relationships. Apparently, I’m an influencer now – I get paid to put stuff in my videos. Pocketbooks, sneakers, clothing, sunglasses, all sorts of stuff. I get sent all sorts of things… for free. ![]() I don’t know why I’m living so long to be honest with you.Īnd now, I’m also making money from what we do. ![]() I might be 92, but only feel 65 when we’re filming. ![]() But I realised making these videos makes me feel younger, too. Covid meant I stayed at home, pretty isolated. Before, I’d go to senior events, play bingo, go on cruises and to church. The pandemic had changed everything for me. Making people laugh wasn’t my area.Īt first it was all just fun, a way for Kevin and I to keep ourselves busy. I was the quiet kid at school, and then worked in a factory and raised a family. Apparently, everyone thinks this little old lady is hysterical. Sometimes I think of things I’ll say or do in advance, but mostly I’m just being me. Now I do all sorts of weird things: dancing on the porch, dishing out advice, saying stupid things. So, we just kept on going with this to see what could happen. He’d made YouTube videos with me for years already, that never bothered me.
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